Pre-trial hearing continued to Jan. 29 in embezzlement case

SANTA ANA – A contractor accused of misappropriating public funds while managing a portion of Dana Point Harbor made his second court appearance on Nov. 20 for a pre-trial hearing. However, the hearing was continued until Jan. 29, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office Chief of Staff Susan Schroeder.

Brian Cleveland Dunn, 61, was charged last month with falsifying invoices for $130,000 and embezzling another $440,000 through unauthorized credit card charges, all public money.

Prosecutors charged him with one felony count of misappropriation of public funds and one felony count of grand theft by embezzlement. With sentencing enhancements, Dunn could face more than 11 years in state prison if found guilty. Dunn, who is represented by defense attorney Gary Pohlson, was out of custody on $200,000 bail shortly after his arrest. He pleaded not guilty to both felony charges.

Pohlson had not returned The Log’s phone calls at press time.

The Jan. 29 hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. in Department C-57 of the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. Brett Brian is the lead attorney on behalf of the state.